Sunshine Coast beach safety: Family of Buddina drowning victim Callum Maggs calls for change

Almost 12 months ago a healthy and fit Callum Maggs drowned at Buddina Beach. Now his grieving family hope the tragedy can inspire new thinking on beach safety.

Almost 12 months since the death of their fit and healthy son a grieving family is sending a strong message on beach safety with the hope no parent has to endure the unthinkable pain they have.

Family and friends of Callum Maggs hope his tragic drowning at Buddina Beach on Anzac Day, 2021, can inspire new thinking when it comes to beach warning signs and safety.

Callum, 28, was swimming with two of his brothers north of the Kawana beach flags when he was suddenly swept out to sea.

His partner Kelly said Cal went from wading in the water and body surfing to being in serious trouble.

“He was incredibly fit, healthy and strong and yet, in a matter of moments, he was being very quickly pulled away by an unseen rip,” she said.

The Maggs family, siblings Tyrone, Jacob, Zachary, Olivia, Oscar and Callum (top right) with parents Anthony and Andrea.

His brothers tried to rescue him while another borrowed a boogie board to help, however the conditions proved too difficult.

Emergency services were called and lifeguards brought an unresponsive Cal to shore and he was rushed to hospital.

Parents Anthony and Andrea Maggs were at their Brisbane home when they received the phone call that would be any parents’ worst nightmare.

“(She told us) there had been an incident and Cal was in the best hands possible but we needed to get in the car and meet them at the Sunshine Coast hospital,” Mr Maggs said.

“Cal spent five days in ICU on a machine fighting for his life, during that time we learnt that he had been revived a couple of times in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

“Every day we sat by his side or downstairs in the courtyard hoping for his vitals to improve.

“As parents you should not have to make the decision to turn off the only thing keeping your son alive.”

The family is appealing for authorities to take a new approach to beach warning signs so swimmers can better understand the dangers.

They hope to gain Sunshine Coast Council approval for special signage at Buddina Beach with a photo of Cal and the date of the tragedy.

A Surf Life Saving Queensland spokesman said the organisation and its members extended its sympathy to the family.

“The signage at Sunshine Coast beach accesses are in accordance with Australian standards, which is consistent with best practice,” they said.

“We commend the Maggs family on wanting to increase safety and awareness at Sunshine Coast beaches.””

Surf Life Saving Queensland continues to encourage everyone visiting the beach to swim at patrolled locations.

Cal, a popular and talented strength and conditioning coach, was a strong, fit and healthy young man.

“Even with his physical capabilities it shows how easy tragedies like this can happen,” Mr Maggs said.

Mrs Maggs said they wanted new signage at Buddina Beach in their son’s memory.

“More has to be done to bring awareness to Pt Cartwright (and surrounding) beaches, as beautiful as they are, equally as dangerous they can be,” she said.

“We would like signage to reflect the pain of this awful event, simultaneously warning of rips, currents and changing surf conditions.

“Cal was strong, sensible and always present, yet this can happen to absolutely anyone so very, quickly.”

“We want the signage with Cal‘s face and date of his accident to heighten the reality of this horrible loss.”

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said it was considering the family’s request.

“Our thoughts remain with Mr Maggs’ family and friends following this tragic incident,” he said.

He said there were many factors to be considered when complying with relevant signage.

The Maggs family, siblings Tyrone, Jacob, Zachary, Olivia, Oscar and Callum (top right) with parents Anthony and Andrea.ÂÂ

The family has proposed to fund the signs through fundraising efforts.

The gym where Cal worked, Perform 360, runs an annual fundraising in his memory to raise money for Sunshine Coast surf life saving clubs.

Their inaugural games raised $18,000 which was put towards new equipment, as well as training programs.

Mrs Maggs said Cal was known for his phrase “consistency is king” and that continues to be a key mantra at the gym.

One of six children Cal shared an “unbreakable” bond with his siblings and loved his American Staffy cross French bulldog Winston.

The family described him as “funny, cheeky, genuinely kind and enthusiastic”.

“We want to gain people’s attention to highlight the power and danger of our oceans and that no one is invincible, that your life can be tragically altered in a split second,” Mrs Maggs said.